Week 95--Viva Italia

Mon – Grandma Barb's Spaghetti

Tues –  Seafood Salad and Crostini 

Weds – Stromboli

Thurs – Ravioli w/prosciutto

Fri – out of town

Alts – BLTs/grill something

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After trying to place a woman's Spanish accent for half the morning at the park, I finally figured it out. She was Italian. I think our encounter this AM inspired some of this week's selections. Off to the store now. Looking forward to the blasting AC. Happy cooking.

Dragons in the Garden

I started to cut this black pepper (variation on a green pepper) from our garden when I noticed it had an eye. Look at this thing! But kind of sideways in case it feels threatened and attacks.

Mystery String

If you glance toward the ceiling in our kitchen you'll notice a string between the cupboards on one side of the room.

By mid-summer, there is usually a cluster of drying herbs hanging there.

By mid-winter, the dried herbs have long since been crushed into dark tins inside the cupboards, and we're enjoying garden basil and oregano in our pizza sauce.

So if you're ever in our kitchen, look up and see what season it is by what's hanging on the string. Dust means late winter or early spring.

Happy birthday to Fuzzyback

We decided, because it was approximately the right date, and because we had a happy passel of kids at our house this afternoon, to celebrate our hamster's birthday today. Anticipation for the event (brainchild of a 5-year-old) has been building for weeks. Potential guests. Gifts. Decorations. Mostly in discussion form, but I did let her spend $3 on some "salty savors" for the little beast. And we got a balloon.

There are children in the world that do not have bdays as nice as the hamster's. I am aware of this absurdity.

We had a table full of snacks that appealed to kids and hamsters alike (peas from our garden, pita chips, watermelon, and so on). We made a rhubarb crisp to have something cake-ish but not so decadent.

A good time was had by all.

Week 94—On the fly

Mon – Pulled pork, corn

Tues –  Burgers 

Weds – Chicken stir-fry

Thurs – Rigatoni with sausage and peas

Fri – Gazpacho, tostadas, Mexican delights

Alts – popcorn?

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Went to the store to grab some frozen pizzas tonight and came back with groceries for the week. No time like the present, and my 5-year-old and I were having a really nice time shopping together. Eldest boy sobbing right now (bedtime) so suspect my time here is up. Happy cooking.